1> I get vociemails (and text messages) delivered over WiFi (or the 3G data network, when outside WiFi), so even when I'm in the basement of the University, I never miss a message, even when I miss a call.

Can't do that with a Carrier System!

2> I get speech-to-text transcriptions of voicemails delivered in text form every time a voicemail comes through. The transcriptions aren't perfect, but they're good enough to let me know by looking at the screen whether the message is a telemarketer or a colleague at work that I don't have stored in my contact list yet, before I even consider dialing into the voicemail...(continues)

You've done an excellent job of explaining the differences between Google voicemail and texting versus traditional carrier provided services. I still don't understand how the advantages of Google services make carrier services "garbage" by comparison...less advanced, perhaps, but hardly rubbish.

The big advantage carrier based messaging has over Google is it's usually included in basic wireless packages at no additional charge. While Google Voice itself is free, the costly data plans needed to support it are not.

There are still plenty of folks like me who are uninterested in phone Internet plans. Google voice wouldn't benefit me one bit.

Minimal data plan is needed for Google Voice. The issue you run into here isn't that Google Voice takes a lot of data, it's that you have to have a lot of data from the Carrier before you can use Google Voice (on your phone while not on WiFi).

gloopey1 said:While Google Voice itself is free, the costly data plans needed to support it are not.

There are still plenty of folks like me who are uninterested in phone Internet plans. Google voice wouldn't benefit me one bit.

Even without a smartphone, Google Voice kicks the crap out of carrier voicemail.

1> If you choose to have carrier SMS and do not have a smartphone/data package, you set up your phone to forward un-answered calls (no answer transfer, there's a simple *72 code to set that up) to the Google Voice mailbox instead of the Carrier mailbox. The message gets recorded in the Google Voice system, and then the transcript is still generated. Google Voice sends the transcript to the d
...(continues)

I agree. Google Voice beats Carrier voice mail hands down. I use Google Voice with Friends and Family. I have advised individuals who carry two phones to drop one and sign up for GV. It just makes too much sense. As far as using it without a smartphone...of course. I HAVE a smartphone and I don't make calls from the GV app because I need my phone to call FROM my Google Number. Not some random number like the app does. All one has to do is call one's own Google number and make calls from it.

Jarahawk said:I HAVE a smartphone and I don't make calls from the GV app because I need my phone to call FROM my Google Number. Not some random number like the app does. All one has to do is call one's own Google number and make calls from it.

I know what you're talking about, but you concerns about using the app because of the "random numbers" dialed are unfounded.

The unique numbers dialed by GV are internal to Google only. Your Google Voice number always appears on the receiving party's caller ID.

Install the app and do a couple test calls. Your fears are completely without merit; the google-assigned quasi-random numbers are transparent and meaningless. No one will ever know you're using th...(continues)

Cellstudent, I appreciate your help. I wish others used these forums the way you do rather than as a bash-a-thon.

If I initiate a call from my Google voice inbox, does the call charge my daytime minutes? I added that number to my free calling circle. When I do this, it rings my phone and pairs it to the person I dialed from my inbox.

CellStudent said:I use so few "minutes" on my phone lines that I don't really care about how the calls record. I get by fine with zero benefit from M2M and F&F numbers.

I've heard of schemes to make all your calls route through Google Voice, making them essentially free; but I'm not a party to how they work, because I don't use enough minutes for it to matter to me.

However, it sounds like Jarahawk might be milking that cash cow. Give a yell over there and see what happens.

I found out that you can add your Google voice number to your free calling circle and place free calls indirectly. You call your Google voicemail number and press two. After this, you dial the number you wish to connect.

"The big advantage carrier based messaging has over Google is it's usually included in basic wireless packages at no additional charge. While Google Voice itself is free, the costly data plans needed to support it are not."

They can afford to give away something which costs them nothing to provide in the first place.

iPhone uses its own voicemail system, different from the carrier-supplied voicemail that all other VZW phones use. If you upgraded from iPhone to an Android then you have to go in and set up the voicemail box all over again. Messages stored in the iPhone voicemail box do not directly transfer over. From the new Android, try dialing *86 and see if you get prompted to setup voicemail for the first time.

GrinderCB said:iPhone uses its own voicemail system, different from the carrier-supplied voicemail that all other VZW phones use. If you upgraded from iPhone to an Android then you have to go in and set up the voicemail box all over again. Messages stored in the iPhone voicemail box do not directly transfer over. From the new Android, try dialing *86 and see if you get prompted to setup voicemail for the first time.

That's the thing, I get prompted to enter my password. And it works like normal.It's just after someone leaves a VM, no notification on my Android device. Pop my SIM back into my iPhone and BAMM! There's the VM notification. I do believe at one time swapping to an Android device I had t...(continues)

As GrinderCB said, you're on a different voicemail system now - a visual voicemail system for iPhone only. The best you're going to get is *86 access, at best, while on an Android. It's be the opposite but similar problem if you'd gone from Android to iPhone.